Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil service widows and widowers have had their survivors pension restored on compassionate grounds.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The data obtained shows a total of 1472, an average of around 114 per year, pensions ceasing on remarriage or cohabitation for the period 2008 to 2020. The split of the data between those whose pension was stopped due to remarriage and cohabitation, and the breakdown between England, Wales and Scotland, and the number of survivor pensions restored on just compassionate grounds, is not available at this point.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil service widows and widowers have had their pensions revoked as a result of (a) remarriage and (b) cohabitation in (i) England and Wales and (ii) Scotland.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The data obtained shows a total of 1472, an average of around 114 per year, pensions ceasing on remarriage or cohabitation for the period 2008 to 2020. The split of the data between those whose pension was stopped due to remarriage and cohabitation, and the breakdown between England, Wales and Scotland, and the number of survivor pensions restored on just compassionate grounds, is not available at this point.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Prime Minister, whether he sought (a) scientific and (b) other advice when deciding to support the actions of Dominic Cummings in relocating his family to County Durham at the end of March 2020.
Answered by Boris Johnson
I refer the Hon Member to my comments of 27 May 2020 at the Liaison Committee, HC 322. The matter is now closed.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish updates to Procurement Policy Notices (PPN) 02/20 and 04/20: Supplier relief due to coronavirus (COVID-19) - additional sector guidance for state funded schools, which expired on 30 June 2020 and 31 October 2020 respectively.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The guidance was issued to schools to offer support for implementation for PPN 02/20 and 04/20 for the provision of supplier relief. These PPNs have now expired and the Cabinet Office has no plans to issue further PPNs for supplier relief. Contracting Authorities can still make their own arrangements for contractual relief.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) the local elections planned for May 2021 will go ahead as planned and (b) polling stations will be (i) accessible and (ii) covid-19 secure.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Primary legislation states that the elections will go ahead in May 2021.
We continue to work closely with the electoral community, including electoral suppliers, and public health bodies to resolve challenges and ensure everyone will be able to cast their vote safely and securely - and in a way of their choosing.
Measures are planned to support absent voting at short notice. Guidance will be published in good time ahead of the polls and this matter will be kept under review. The House will be kept updated.
The Government has also engaged with the Parliamentary Parties Panel to ensure that views from political parties are taken on board.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2020 to Question 123698, whilst individuals are not required to give a reason for refusing honours, how many of those who refused and did give a reason cited either (a) anti-imperialism or (b) an unwillingness to be associated with the former British empire in the last five years.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Nominees’ reasons, if any, for declining an award are given in confidence and the Government does not comment on the reasons given.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have declined an appointment to each Order of the British Empire award in each of the last five years.
Answered by Chloe Smith
It has always been the case that a small number of individuals have chosen to decline to receive honours.
The numbers of refusals for the Order of the British Empire broken down by award and honours round in the last five years for the Prime Minister's Lists can be found below. Figures for the British Empire Medal have been included as the award is closely affiliated with the Order of the British Empire.
As the figures show, refusal rates for honours remain extremely low. Individuals are not required to give reasons for refusing honours.
| GBE | Kt | DBE | CBE | OBE | MBE | BEM | Total |
NY16 | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 6 | 2 | 12 |
BD16 | - | - | - | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 22 |
NY17 | - | 2 | - | 5 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 34 |
BD17 | - | - | - | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
NY18 | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 24 |
BD18 | - | - | 1 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 26 |
NY19 | - | 1 | - | 3 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 26 |
BD19 | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 23 |
NY20 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | 7 | 11 | 24 |
BD20 | - | - | - | 3 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 43 |
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people who declined an appointment to an Order of the British Empire award cited (a) anti-imperialism and (b) an unwillingness to be associated with the former British empire in each of the last five years.
Answered by Chloe Smith
It has always been the case that a small number of individuals have chosen to decline to receive honours.
The numbers of refusals for the Order of the British Empire broken down by award and honours round in the last five years for the Prime Minister's Lists can be found below. Figures for the British Empire Medal have been included as the award is closely affiliated with the Order of the British Empire.
As the figures show, refusal rates for honours remain extremely low. Individuals are not required to give reasons for refusing honours.
| GBE | Kt | DBE | CBE | OBE | MBE | BEM | Total |
NY16 | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 6 | 2 | 12 |
BD16 | - | - | - | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 22 |
NY17 | - | 2 | - | 5 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 34 |
BD17 | - | - | - | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
NY18 | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 24 |
BD18 | - | - | 1 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 26 |
NY19 | - | 1 | - | 3 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 26 |
BD19 | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 23 |
NY20 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | 7 | 11 | 24 |
BD20 | - | - | - | 3 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 43 |
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the tax implications for UK boat owners whose vessels are currently harboured in EU member states in the trade deal negotiations with the EU.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Movements of goods from the EU will be treated the same as movements from the rest of the world after the end of the transition period. This means customs duties, including VAT, will be due, unless any relief or further agreement applies.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing pubs and licensed premises to deliver alcohol sales to customers during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Pubs and bars are permitted to sell alcohol through delivery or via click and collect where remote ordering has been utilised.